Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Hero Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 3, 2022

The title of this 1997 film may make it seem like it could have been a precursor to Hero, the well remembered 2002 film starring Jet Li, but as might be expected with a term as generic as that specific titular word, even our database has both The Hero and The Hero listed in it, which may suggest other ripples in the moniker universe (either backward or forward, depending on production year). But kind of hilariously, this particular Hero is actually a remake itself, though not of a film that bears the (kinda sorta) same name, but rather of The Boxer from Shantung from 1972, which was one of the many Shaw Brothers offerings Arrow released last year with its spectacularly produced Shawscope Volume One. As I mentioned in our The Boxer from Shantung Blu-ray review, some fans of classic Golden Era films in general, and some Warner Brothers "gangster" epics in particular, may sense a certain kinship between some plot dynamics in both that film and (probably unavoidably) this film as well.

I'm not sure if those who police colloquialisms have yet to object to this, but "Shanghai" as a verb entered the public lexicon evidently in the nineteenth century as a euphemism for basically being kidnapped and put into forced servitude aboard a ship. As some introductory text and archival video explain in the opening moments of Hero, at least according to this film's version of "history" Shanghai was actually a destination and one thought of as a kind of escape for less fortunate types like two brothers seen as the film opens, Ma Wing-jing (Takeshi Kaneshiro) and older sibling Ma Tai-cheung (Yuen Wah). Despite Tai-cheung being older, he seems to be something of a doofus (for want of a better term), and in fact some of his shenanigans seems designed to be played strictly for laughs, and it's only through one of the first of this film's exciting stunt work that the character is able to be hoisted aboard a train that has literal "hangers on" as it makes its way toward Shanghai.

The opening "backstory" material has also documented how Shanghai has two major crime families in it, one led by Tam Sei (Yuen Biao) and the other by Yang Shuang (Yuen Tak), and each of these "mob bosses" has their own supporting power structure. Tam Sei has the backing of the then current British interlopers, while Yang Shuang has "gone native" (so to speak) and has the Shanghai police at his beck and call. A kind of "meet cute" between the Ma brothers and Tam Sei then results in the first really spectacular stunt sequence, which sees Ma Wing-jing and Tam Sei astride a horse at full gallop, each attempting to take possession of a pocket watch. The absurdity of the situation combined with the finesse of its execution in the film may be the best example of the kind of action set pieces Hero has to offer at times.

Suffice it to say (and, frankly, the film really doesn't have much to say in this regard, simply eliding the plot the a new point), Ma Wing- jing becomes an acolyte of Tam Sei and begins to climb the nefarious ladder of a Shanghai crime syndicate. There's a kind of immediate camaraderie between Ma Wing-jing and Tam Sei that factors into the plot proceedings, and in a way these two almost become the surrogate siblings. Ma Wing-jing is able to prevent tragedy for Tam Sei and is rewarded for his efforts, but a certain hubris then starts to emerge in his already pretty cocky character, and things begin to spiral out of control.

This is at its core an oft told morality tale, but much as I mentioned with regard to its progenitor The Boxer from Shantung, the so-called "character arc" for Ma Wing-jing may not play out as some might expect. And in fact even the friendship between Ma Wing-jing and Tam Sei has elements that may be at least a little surprising. If the underlying thesis of Hero is nothing all that innovative, the film's sometimes amazing stunt and fight work is viscerally enthralling and gives the film a kind of almost manically propulsive energy. That said, as Andrew Graves gets into in his essay contained in the insert booklet, fans of "Golden Era" Shaw Brothers martial arts films may find this one lacking, and that may be especially true for fans of The Boxer from Shantung. Still, there are some really exciting action scenes here even if director Corey Yuen isn't able to completely resurrect the imprimatur of the Shaw Brothers brand.

Hero Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Hero is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films Asia Collection, an imprint of 88 Films, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. While the insert booklet doesn't contain any technical information, the back cover offers at least a brief generic "HD remaster from the original 35mm negatives" as basic information. This is generally a nice looking transfer from 88 Films, one that offers a nicely suffused palette that can be especially impressive with regard to jewel tones, and which looks natural throughout. Detail levels are also generally very good to excellent and close-ups in particular pop with some significant fine detail at times with regard to both facial features and things like textures on the fabrics of props and costumes. This can have a just slightly filtered look at times, though that said, there is definitely a grain field visible, and in some passing moments like screenshot 19, which is what I'm assuming is an optical zoom, it's more than apparent. There's also some rather minor but noticeable age related wear and tear on display.

Hero Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Hero features DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks in either English or Cantonese. I frankly didn't hear a whale of a lot of difference between the two as I toggled between them, and there was very little if any amplitude or general mix variation that my ears could make out. Dialogue in both versions is presented cleanly and clearly. The score by Lincoln Lo, Raymond Wong and William Hu sounds nicely full bodied, but I have to say it struck me as a bit anachronistic at times, with some sweeping orchestral cues for what I'm assuming was meant to be brief comedic vignettes featuring Ma Tai-Cheung. Optional English subtitles are available.

Hero Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary with Asian cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema


• Hong Kong Trailer (HD; 2:51)


• English Trailer (HD; 3:58)


• Alternate Shots from Taiwanese Version (HD; 00:21)

Additionally, 88 Films provides a nicely appointed insert booklet and a fold out poster. Packaging features a slipcover.

Hero Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shaw Brothers fanatics may frankly not even consider Hero to be "real" Shaw Brothers, but I personally feel there are at least echoes of some of the legendary Shaw Brothers productions in this piece. Andrew Graves is probably right that Hero simply can't emerge from the shadow of The Boxer from Shantung, but there are some inventively staged action sequences in this film that I think stand (and/or kick) on their own two feet quite convincingly. Technical merits are generally solid, and the commentary by Leeder and Venema is typically entertaining, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.